verb
perpetrate
PER-puh-trayt/ˈpɜːrpətreɪt/
To carry out a harmful or wrongful act.
The pickpocket perpetrates a theft by removing the unsuspecting man's wallet.
Etymology
The pieces mean to carry something out completely, without an inherently bad sense in Latin. Early English use in statutes helped give the verb its association with committing criminal or harmful acts.
In context
The defendant arms himself with a revolver, buys cartridges, obtains an armed accomplice, carries slippers to perpetrate a silent entry
More examples
- The investigation reveals who perpetrated the crime.
- The company is accused of perpetrating a hoax.
- Anyone who perpetrates violence against a witness faces serious charges.
Forms
perpetrate · perpetrates · perpetrated · perpetrating
perpetrator noun — Someone who carries out a wrongful act.
perpetration noun — The carrying out of a wrongful act.
Similar words
- commit
- More common and less formal when describing crimes or offenses.